Asus offers free Transformer Prime GPS Extension Kit

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime tablet has a 10.1 inch display, an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. But many customers have complained about poor GPS performance, so Asus has decided to do something about it.

As expected, the company is offering a free accessory designed to help you get a better GPS signal on the Transformer Prime. You can register for one starting today, and Asus will continue accepting applications through July 31st, 2012.

It turns out the GPS attachment isn’t simply a USB thumb-drive shaped dongle though. It’s a rather large attachment that you connect to the bottom of the tablet where the docking port is.

In other words, as SlashGear points out, you can’t use the GPS and the Asus Transformer keyboard dock at the same time.

But it’s nice to know that Asus is taking user complaints seriously enough to develop a hardware solution and then give it away for free.

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if you have the wifi only version i don’t see where gps is necessary. i do agree that is nice to see asus being serious about satisfying their customers.

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6 years ago

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barry99705

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There are apps available that allow gps usage without a data plan. You know, like every other handheld gps unit in the world.

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6 years ago

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Badasus

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Are they crazy? this solution is nonsense, I use the keyboard so with this monster plug now I have a new problem, why they did not offer a usb solution? shame on asus, will never buy anything form them

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6 years ago

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aiden9

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They offered returns first so if the GPS problem was really that big of a deal to people they should have returned it. They worked like hell trying to get it to work via software fixes. Now they’re giving out *free* gps attachments. If anything it shows their commitment to trying to right the situation. Puts them on the A list for me.

Anyways how often are you really going to be using the keyboard and using the GPS? I can’t think of too many situations considering the keyboard is generally used when stationary and the GPS generally used when on the move.

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6 years ago

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Mik

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That’s nice but I’m still going to stay away from Asus tablets. I’d rather go with a company that doesn’t have to give away free hardware fixes.

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6 years ago

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CyberGusa

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So you’d rather be charged for the fixes?

Because all companies make goofs from time to time. It’s usually nicer if the companies owes to it and at least tries to fix their mistake.

Versus those companies that pretend nothing is wrong and/or end up charging you to fix their mistake or actually convinces you it’s not a big deal and get you to keep the product.

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6 years ago

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James

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Seems like he’s saying he’ll go with companies that don’t have recent hardware failure history (ie. not Asus, Apple and others). Doesn’t matter if the companies deny it or provides some kludgy dongle.

There are plenty of other companies and it is probably a better idea to just stay away from Asus for a little bit of time.

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6 years ago

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CyberGusa

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Sorry but missing the point that unless the company is new then pretty much all companies have a history of a mess up of some type and you’ll be better served by the companies that deal with it in the consumer’s interest.

Only if a company has a series of mess-ups should you avoid them, because then there’s a pattern.

What you and Mik are doing is just assuming a pattern but that’s as likely to lead you to a bad product as avoiding Asus would be. Since you won’t be basing your decision on the product itself but rather the company it represents.

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6 years ago

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someguy

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Transformer 1: GPS and WiFi issues. Transformer 2: GPS and WiFi issues. Do you see a pattern?

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6 years ago

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someguy

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Oh ya, as said by others. I’m looking at RECENT history.

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6 years ago

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CyberGusa

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Again, the first Transformer only had software issues with GPS and WiFi, and nothing that no other Tegra 2 tablet didn’t also have issues with.

The Prime is the only one that appears that it may be a hardware issue and that’s been mainly put off to the choice of the all aluminum casing.

So no pattern! Look at overall reviews, most people have no issues with the Transformer series and it’s more popular than many other Android tablets.

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6 years ago

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Tim

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Ya, it seems the Asus tablets (both Transformers) had and still has issues. Asus is only fixing one issue on only one tablet.

Doesn’t sound great to me. I have tablets from other OEMs with zero hardware issues. Software issues were of course fixed. Sounds better to me so I’ll stay away from Asus for now.

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6 years ago

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CyberGusa

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No, the only model with hardware issues is the Prime. The previous Transformer only had software issues and those have been addressed. The Prime is the only model that required a hardware fix! While the newer models have either to be reviewed or have reported no major issues. For other tablets, sorry but there have been plenty with hardware issues and even major brands like Motorola have had issues like when the Xoom first came out the SD card slot would not work, among many other issues. Even models that started out with no problems could still have issues like build quality and either stop working or fall apart in just a year of normal use. So let’s not make it sound like Asus is the only one who have had problems or exaggerate the problem it did have. There was nothing wrong with the Transformer itself and its function… Read more »

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6 years ago

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DARTHFABRIEL

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I’m italian, and in our country the kit gps is not released. Shame! I pay 599€, (715$) much more of a buyer USA. I’ll never more than a product ASUS.

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6 years ago

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Frastrated ASUS customer

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ASUS is ignoring me – I didn’t get it and I have a tablet w/o GPS!! The lesson they tought me – “Don’t trust ASUS, and better one: don’t buy ASUS”